At UNC, ODU seeks a Wilder outcome

If Old Dominion's Bobby Wilder ever tires of coaching, he could have a career in sales. Watch a Monday press conference and it's clear what Wilder does best.

The message is always positive. His talking points are delivered with clarity and sincerity. When Wilder thanks fans for helping Old Dominion sell out all 35 of its home dates, he looks past the reporters and straight into the camera.

Having a salesman in charge has helped Old Dominion succeed as a start-up. Wilder has used his charisma to recruit quality players, attract fans, and help the Monarchs make their rapid ascent to the FBS.

Only one question remains: Can he coach?

As Old Dominion moves up a level, the question takes on increased relevance. And in this mystifying season of uneven results, Wilder's performance has been difficult to quantify. With a win Saturday at North Carolina (5-5), however, Wilder can begin to show he is ready for the jump. Beating the Tar Heels would make this season an unqualified success. Losing would mean that Old Dominion (8-3) merely won all the games it was supposed to, many in sloppy, unfocused fashion.

Wilder has had a challenging job this fall. Trying to keep the Monarchs' eyes on the prize has been difficult because there isn't one. No conference title is at stake, no playoff tournament or bowl game to reach.

Last week, in an effort to get his team ready for overmatched Campbell of the FCS, Wilder printed out the Independent standings, which showed Old Dominion sharing the top spot with Notre Dame. It's unlikely Fighting Irish coach Brian Kelly did the same in South Bend.

The schedule hasn't made it easy for ODU. It included seven FCS teams that now have a combined record of 26-52. Four of the five FBS teams on the slate, however, are at .500 or better.

At this time the last two years, ODU was thinking playoffs. This November, all the Monarchs have left is a chance to topple UNC. Wilder admits the deck is stacked against his team in a game the Monarchs are viewing as a bowl trip, even if it is just a three-hour bus ride.

"This is definitely the wrong time to go to Chapel Hill," Wilder said of the Tar Heels' winning streak. "My concern is physically, that we don't match up."

ARMY (3-7)

THIS WEEK'S GAME: Bye.

NEXT GAME: at Hawaii, Nov. 30.

BRIGHAM YOUNG (7-3)

THIS WEEK'S GAME: at Notre Dame, Saturday, 3:30 ET. Brigham Young's 17-14 loss in South Bend last year still irks the Cougars, who were manhandled by the physical Fighting Irish, who got 143 yards rushing from Theo Riddick, a performance reminiscent of Wisconsin's James White (23 carries, 147 yards, two touchdowns) against the BYU defense on Nov. 9.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

--QB Taysom Hill. Last year when BYU faced Notre Dame, Hill didn't make the trip as he was recovering from knee surgery. The Cougars missed Hill as Riley Nelson made few big plays, completing 23 of 36 passes for 177 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. This time BYU will bring a dynamic quarterback with big-play ability as a thrower and runner.

--LB Eathyn Manumaleuna. In last year's game at Notre Dame, BYU entered with the nation's third best defense against the run. But Notre Dame was a decisive winner at the line of scrimmage, rolling up 270 yards rushing. Earlier this month at Wisconsin, the Badgers had similar success on the ground rushing for 229 yards. It will be up to the BYU linemen to hold their ground against a veteran Notre Dame offensive line.

--LB Kyle Van Noy. Last year at South Bend, Van Noy intercepted Tommy Rees in the second quarter to set up a touchdown which gave BYU a 14-7 lead. It would be the Cougars' final score of a frustrating game. "We should have come out with a win," Van Noy said on Saturday. "We are hungry for success. I think that is what is going to show in South Bend. It's going to be a good game. It's going to be competitive. It is going to be Midwest football. Kind of like Wisconsin, they are going to try to run and pound."

IDAHO (1-9)

THIS WEEK'S GAME: at No. 2 Florida State, Saturday, 3:30 ET. The point spread in this game is reaching historic proportions. On Tuesday morning it was listed between 56 1/2 (Wynn) and 58 1/2 (Las Vegas Hotel and Casino). Citing GolfSheet.com, the Idaho Statesman wrote that the last time an FBS team was listed as a 56-point underdog was 2001 for Louisiana-Monroe's game at No. 2 Florida. The last time an FBS team was listed as a 58-point favorite was 1993 when Temple played No. 4 Miami. Neither underdog covered.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

--QB Josh McCain. Coming off a shoulder injury, the junior got his first action in more than a month in Idaho's last game, a 59-38 loss to Old Dominion, running seven times for 37 yards and completing 1 of 5 passes. Look for McCain to get more snaps against FSU, sharing duties with senior Taylor Davis. Freshman QB Chad Chalich (shoulder), who started the first seven games but hasn't played since Oct. 12, remains questionable.